Ricoh GR review: A high performance compact camera

Released in April 2013, the Ricoh GR goes by the tagline of “Everything is big, except the size”. It points clearly to the raison d’être of this camera – to be a compact model with a large sensor with the aim of offering DSLR-like performance without the size and weight associated with them. As with several models in this niche, it seems to hark back to days gone by with a retro style. While this impacts the versatility of the camera, it’s much easier to make a high quality prime lens that can extract the most from the large, 16megapixel APS-C sensor tucked away inside. Within this sector we’ve seen some very good cameras through the labs in recent months, so the GR has got stiff competition.

Further readings for the Ricoh GR review: A high performance compact camera

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

With the launch of the Nikon Coolpix A we marvelled at how, in the space of a year, the idea of a large sensor compact with a fixed, prime lens, has gone from being an obscure niche (as it was when Sigma launched the original DP1) to a burgeoning and competitive area of the market. Now, with the Ricoh GR, Pentax Ricoh has added to this trend by introducing an APS-C compact with a fixed 28mm equivalent F2.8 lens.

Re: Lens performance

Research first than write your article

Please research data before typing out obvious bunk. Stating the K-5IIs score of 1208 for ISO is "quite a low score compared to other APS-C sensor DSLR's available", is ridiculous. Other than the 5200 and 7100 that are a smidge better please let us know of all of those other far superior cameras.

ISO

Don´t really understand your conclusion. Why to hell the K-5 (IIs or not), two months ago one if not the best APS-C camera sensorwise is now LOW in ISO performance? And what are the other cameras, that are so better? I really don´t understand your phrase, or you wanted to say that the GR ISO performance wasn´t up to the performance of other, DSLR-sensors? Thank you very much for clarifying this!